February 27, 2019
Courtesy of Melissa Alam/Suraya
Suraya is a Levant-inspired, multi-concept eatery in the heart of Fishtown.
Zahav, Suraya, and Monk's Café all got nods from the James Beard Foundation, the organization that awards prestigious foodie honors to the nation's very best restaurants and chefs.
The foundation announced Wednesday its long list of 2019 restaurant and chef finalists, with more than a dozen establishments based in and around Philadelphia earning recognition. There's still some time before the final nominees and winners will be announced, and Philadelphia restaurants and chefs usually win at least one or two honors each year.
In 2018, Camille Cogsworth, Zahav's young pastry chef, took home Philly's only honor, winning in the Rising Star category.
This year we see a lot of tried-and-true, Philly-area establishments represented, with a few newcomers and several concepts based outside of Philadelphia. Take a look at the area nominees below.
•Andiario, West Chester, Chester County
•Bardea Food & Drink, Wilmington
Tova du Plessis, Essen Bakery, Philadelphia
Monk's Café, Philadelphia
Marc Vetri, Vetri Cucina, Philadelphia
James Matty, Suraya, Philadelphia
• Bolete, Bethlehem, Lehigh County
• Sagami, Collingswood, Camden County
• Zahav, Philadelphia
Ellen Yin, High Street Hospitality Group, Philadelphia
Chef Vola's, Atlantic City
Jesse Itro, Royal Izakaya, Philadelphia
• Joey Baldino, Zeppoli, Collingswood, Camden County
• Nicholas Elmi, Laurel, Philadelphia
• Matthew Kern, Heirloom, Lewes, Delaware
• Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia
• Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia
Tova de Plessis from Essen Bakery and Ellen Yin from High Street Hospitality group were nominated on the long list as well in 2018, with Yin also advancing to the 2018 short list of nominees.
Zahav's service, as well as Jesse Ito's rising chef power at Royal Izakaya, also were recognized on the long list of nominations last year, as was Laurel Chef Nicholas Elmi, who is releasing a cookbook later this year. Zeppoli Restaurant and Chef Vola's also were included in 2018's long list of nominees.
Some noted newcomers from last year include West Chester's Andiario, an artisanal farm-to-table restaurant that opened late last summer, and Bolete, another farm-to-table concept in Bethlehem, Lehigh County, that has been open for more than 10 years. Bolete, though not nominated last year, received its first James Beard nomination in 2015.
Also new this year is Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa's owner/chef who continues to collect accolades since moving South Philly Barbacoa to a new, line-inducing location and becoming a public advocate for immigration rights, that includes being featured on Netflix's "Chef's Table."
The final list of nominees will be announced March 27 ahead of the award ceremony in May. Look through the full list of semifinalists here.
Follow Marielle & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @mariellemondon | @thePhillyVoice
Like us on Facebook: PhillyVoice | Add Marielle's RSS feed to your feed reader
Have a news tip? Let us know.
